The Polarized Cosmic Hand: IXPE Observations of PSR B1509-58/MSH 15-52

0582164 - ASÚ 2024 RIV GB eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Romani, R.W. - Wong, J. - Di Lalla, N. - Dovčiak, Michal - Karas, Vladimír … celkem 103 autorů
The Polarized Cosmic Hand: IXPE Observations of PSR B1509-58/MSH 15-52.
Astrophysical Journal. Roč. 957, č. 1 (2023), č. článku 23. ISSN 0004-637X. E-ISSN 1538-4357
Institucionální podpora: RVO:67985815
Klíčová slova: pulsar wind nebulae * rotation powered pulsars * polarimetry
Obor OECD: Astronomy (including astrophysics,space science)
Impakt faktor: 4.9, rok: 2022
Způsob publikování: Open access

We describe IXPE polarization observations of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) MSH 15-52, the “Cosmic Hand.” We find X-ray polarization across the PWN, with B-field vectors generally aligned with filamentary X-ray structures. High-significance polarization is seen in arcs surrounding the pulsar and toward the end of the “jet,” with polarization degree PD > 70%, thus approaching the maximum allowed synchrotron value. In contrast, the base of the jet has lower polarization, indicating a complex magnetic field at significant angle to the jet axis. We also detect significant polarization from PSR B1509-58 itself. Although only the central pulse phase bin of the pulse has high individual significance, flanking bins provide lower-significance detections and, in conjunction with the X-ray image and radio polarization, can be used to constrain rotating vector model solutions for the pulsar geometry.
Trvalý link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0350234